Protected Frequencies: sabukaru Meets Woesum

For over a decade, Woesum has been a pillar in sculpting the emotional sounds of European underground music. From his early works to his latest EP Protected, the Swedish producer’s sound has evolved from the shadows of experimental rap into something luminous, trance-tinged, and deeply personal. Known for his work with influential artists such as Yung Lean, Bladee, and longtime collaborator Yayoyanoh, Woesum’s music exists at the intersection of electronic dance and experimental rap.

From his beginnings as a drummer in elementary school to diving headfirst into music production, Woesum’s journey has been marked by constant reinvention, experimentation, and growth. His approach to music-making is instinctual,driven by a desire to push boundaries rather than follow a structured plan. The result is a sound that feels raw, emotional, and often unexpected. Tracks emerge from a place of stream-of-consciousness, making his work uniquely organic and connected to his personal experiences.

His discography, which spans from Dented to the legendary Blue Summer, Paradise Tree, and most recently Protected, reflects this ongoing evolution. Over the years, his music has embraced warmth and euphoria, elements that stand in contrast to his earlier, more minimalistic and experimental sounds. As his music evolves, so too does his personal journey,each release adding layers of emotional depth, resonating with listeners who find themselves swept up in the energy and rawness that defines Woesum’s sound.

Now, as he wraps up the European leg of his tour, Woesum is shifting his focus to Asia, opening with Seoul as he brings his music to new shores. Woesum is continuing to reshape and redefine the underground music scene, always evolving, always pushing boundaries, and always staying true to his personal vision.

sabukaru got the chance to speak with Woesum, from the days he started drumming in fourth grade to being introduced to electronic music by his older sister and finding a Basshunter video on YouTube that sparked his interest in pursuing music production.

What made you start making music & What led to the Woesum we know today? Was there a moment that flipped the switch, or was it more of a slow drift into Sound?

Music was always a big part of my life growing up. I started playing drums in fourth grade and stuck with it for a few years. Then, when I was around 13 or 14, my older sister introduced me to a ton of electronic dance music that really opened up a whole new world. At the time, I could only access it through forums and chat rooms, which made it feel even more special. It later led me to find this video on youtube of Basshunter making a song from start to finish in like 7 minutes which completely blew my mind and was for sure a catalyst for me wanting to produce music myself in a similar way. Since then it’s been more or less nonstop.

What does home mean to you these days? And how has growing up in Sweden shaped the way you hear and make music?

Home feels very fluid right now. I don’t really feel like I have a solid base at the moment, which I think is a byproduct of all the travel that comes with my work. Hopefully, I’ll find a place to properly settle down soon, but for now, London and Stockholm are the two cities I’d consider home.

Stockholm is a strange place, honestly. It’s full of incredibly talented and inspiring musicians,but there’s still no real scene or community, at least not in the way you find in other cities.

The lineups at clubs and venues haven’t really changed since I first started out, which is disappointing. But that absence of infrastructure also pushed many of us to stay inside and make music instead. The lack of support from promoters and nightlife made us look for like-minded people online, which in turn helped build a more international community.

From Mesmerize and Dented to Blue Summer, Paradise Tree, and Protected there’s a clear shift in energy—towards something warmer, more euphoric, and emotionally open. Was that shift intentional, or do you think it naturally reflected where you were at personally and creatively at the time?

It's definitely not something intentional. The way I make music has always been more stream-of-consciousness than structured or conceptual. The songs usually come first, and the idea of a project comes later, so the music just ends up reflecting where I’m at in life,whether I realize it or not.

Who or what is inspiring you outside of music right now—visual art, film,books, etc.?

Films have always been a huge inspiration for me. I haven’t had much time lately to watch as many as I’d like, but I did get to catch a revival screening of Pulse a few weeks ago which was very good.

You’re about to go on your first headline tour—with A/V performances for its European leg. What’s the story or feeling you want to create in those spaces?

I feel like this tour is the first time I can finally perform my music the way I wanted to, which is more like how I would sequence an album where there’s variation in energy and moods throughout.

If you could leave just one Woesum track behind to explain who you are to someone a hundred years from now, which would it be—and why?

Honestly, an impossible question. I feel like that song still hasn't been made yet.

You’ve had a hand in shaping a sound that defined a generation of underground music in Europe. Do you think about what you’re leaving behind—or are you more focused on what’s in front of you? If legacy is something on your mind, what kind of imprint do you hope your work leaves on the world?

I try not to think about impact or legacy because I feel like I would be doing what I do for the wrong reasons if that were my focus. I'm much more worried about what's next instead of what has already happened.

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words by Abeer